Electrophysiological properties of amphibian late distal tubule in vivo

This study was undertaken to determine the passive electrophysiological properties of the diffusive barriers of the late distal tubule (LDT) in Necturus. The transepithelial resistance (RT) determined by cable analysis was 1,130 omega.cm2, which puts the LDT in the class of "tight" epithelia. Using two different methods, we did not find significant cell-to-cell electrical coupling. The fractional apical resistance was 0.93, and it did not vary with distance from the current-injecting electrode. Relative permeabilities of K+, Na+, and Cl- during peritubular ion concentration changes were assessed by circuit analysis. The conclusions are as follows. The basolateral cell membrane is highly permeable to K+; its apparent K+ transference number is 0.78. Basolateral chloride transference was very small. Sodium removal from peritubular fluid produced depolarization, suggesting carrier-mediated electrogenic Na+ transport. The high fractional resistance of the apical cell membrane prevented assessment of apical transference numbers. However, Cl- removal from luminal fluid produced cell hyperpolarization; the underlying mechanism has not been established with certainty. The paracellular pathway does not discriminate between Na+, Cl-, and some of their substitutes; it is poorly permeable to gluconate and prefers K+ to Na+.